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By KURT LOFT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 17, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - No experience? No problem.

That's the theme of the new exhibition, "Highly Recommended," at Florida Craftsmen, featuring works by 15 Florida artists who never have showcased their solo talents in a formal setting. To help give these emerging artists a boost, each was recommended by a leader in Florida's arts industry.

"And we're really happy with the work that came in," says Maria Emilia, executive director of Florida Craftsmen, a statewide association for fine craft art. "There's all this wonderful talent out there."

The show also offers visitors a chance to form opinions on the age-old debate of art versus craft. But as a whole, "Highly Recommended" follows the precepts of fine art, such as the relationship among formal line, shape, color, unity, proportion and scale, Emilia says.

Just as important, the artists construct a narrative in their work that lends cohesion to the show.

"There are a lot of people out there that are doing extremely good work," she says. "We want to empower artists and engage a new generation, so this comes hand in hand with our mission."

Sarah Butz, Clearwater

"In my work, I see the landscape in which we live, but also the cloud of thoughts and conflicting emotions that most of us spend our day with."

Mark Errol, Lauderhill

"Creating little conversations between objects, architectural references and people are ways that I merge some of my interests together."

Sean Erwin, Tampa

"I am interested in behaviors of social legitimation that have developed into tradition or custom within a culture."

Courtney Johnson, Miami

"My work discusses the unvoiced, disconnected triangles between nature, technology and humans."

Judith Salmon, Gulfport

"My work mediates the minimal space between loss of the familiar and consolidation of the new."

Karla Walter, North Palm Beach

"My goal is to build visual interest that stimulates the imagination and generates questions instead of answers."

ON VIEW

Highly Recommended

WHAT: Works by Florida artists Sean Erwin of Tampa, Sarah Butz of Clearwater, Martin Casuso of Miami, Li-Hung Catron of New Smyrna Beach, Liliana Crespi of Weston, Mark Errol of Lauderhill, Scott Fleenor of Wesley Chapel, Rebeca Gilling of Miami, Haley Holeman of Fort Lauderdale, Courtney Johnson of Miami, Diane Lublinski of Pembroke Pines, Melissa Peters of Fort Myers, Judith Salmon of Gulfport, Brian Somerville of Palm Springs and Karla Walter of North Palm Beach

WHEN: Friday through Feb. 22; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. A reception is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.

WHERE: Florida Craftsmen, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 821-7391

ADMISSION: Free

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